Artist and blogger Niall O'Neill, of County Cork, Ireland, says that his reason for launching the blog "Artists in Pastel" was twofold: to create "a comprehensive international directory of pastels artists who have a web presence; and to offer a critique of their websites (not, I emphasize, a critique of their artwork)."

Each of O'Neill's 93 and counting blog posts highlights a different pastel artist and shows a sample image that's representative of his or her work. His list of direct links to artist's websites is substantial and growing (and chock-full of friends of the magazine!)—it's a wonderful resource, whether you're looking for a potential pastel teacher or simply a jolt of inspiration.

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Our fall-inspired "Creative Spark" prompt was our most popular to date with 132 entries and extraordinarily stiff competition. Congratulations to Mike Kelly of Warsaw, Indiana, whose pastel, John Hartman’s Place (above, 19x22), was chosen as the editors’ choice. Hartman’s painting appears in the February issue of The Pastel Journal. Pick up your copy to read the story behind the winning painting. You'll find a selection of paintings from our talented runners up below. Congrats are also in order for Bonnie Zahn Griffith with Storm From the West; Susan Grinels with Fall Colors; Joanne Seberry with Yandoit, Autumnal Colors; and Leslie Smith with Fall Marsh. Stay tuned to see who won our "Extraordinary in the Ordinary" challenge and visit our site to find out how to share your work for a chance to win.

If you live in the U.S., you're probably in the midst of a little cold snap at the moment. Brrr! We humbly recommend two courses of action:

1. Snuggle up with the February 2010 issue of The Pastel Journal and let your fingers do the walking through a winter wonderland of pastel delights.

2. Get out there and paint! If you're like featured artist Aaron Schuerr, you won't let a little snow stop you from painting en plein air. Visit our site to read the stories behind some of the craziest painting sessions the artist has experienced in his professional career.

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